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Political Action

Our union, along with concerned Canadians in communities across the country, has been working hard to save public services and protect jobs. We are all affected by cuts to services, and we must all take action to defend the public services PSAC members provide to Canadians.

Thanks to Liz Oliphant (on the left in the photo), BC Regional Council South Island Coordinator & young worker for this report from the BC Fed Convention ...I had the opportunity to attend this year’s BC Federation of Labour Convention in Vancouver from November 24-28th. This was my first BCFed convention and it was exciting to attend as a young worker delegate. I also had the chance to participate in the Young Worker Mock Convention that was hosted the Sunday before convention.

I attended the BC Fed Convention from November 24 – 28 2014. This was a very interesting convention in many ways. From a young worker perspective it was interesting to participate in the mock convention prior to the start of the convention. This provided an understanding of the convention procedures, especially relating to the resolutions as we were not to be voting on the recommendation of the committee as we do within the PSAC but on the resolution itself.As a part of the Young Worker Committee, I was able to participate in our caucus meeting on November 26 in the morning. We discussed our resolutions that would be coming forward that day and there was debate amongst the group as to the resolution moving forward on the age definition of the young workers. When we sat as a committee to present our report, it was clear that the floor appeared divided on the issue with key unions supporting either side.

The BC Federation of Labour is currently seeking young worker facilitators from all over the province to facilitate the Labour Education Program delivered by the Employee Action & Rights Network (EARN). This program brings young union members into classrooms to talk about Employment Standards, unions, and the role unions play in society.

A message to PSAC members in BC from Bob Jackson: Your vote matters!BC’s municipal elections coming up on November 15th offer a chance for local residents to determine the future of their communities. As we have done in the past, the Public Service Alliance of Canada BC Region is participating in the Municipalities Matter campaign which is coordinated by the Canadian Labour Congress and affiliated Unions.

The federal government introduced a budget implementation bill yesterday that makes a problematic change to the funding of Employment Insurance.This change was included as part of a nearly 500-page Budget Implementation Act – an example of the Harper government’s record of making sweeping legal changes with little time for proper debate.

Vancouver – BC public sector unions are sending a message to the Premier that they stand in solidarity with BC teachers and are urging her to accept the proposal for binding arbitration.“The Premier is attempting to use other settlements in the public sector to create a divide among workers in the province,” said Jim Sinclair, President of the B.C. Federation of Labour.